Forex Broker: MGforex Review

Background
Founded in 1992, MG Financial is one of the oldest institutions in the retail forex market. The firm is headquartered in New York, and registered with the NFA with ID number 308808. The first version of MG Financial's trading platform was released in April 1997, at a time when many of today's forex firms were not in existence yet. MG financial is one of the most reliable forex brokers in the market, with years of experience and a perfect track record of courtesy and reliability towards their customers.

Unique Features of Trading with MGforex
The most unique feature of MG Financial is its commitment to innovation and technological advancement. MG Financial has a team who work hard to keep the clients supplied with the most cutting-edge analytic tools in the forex industry, and the firm prides itself on the abilities and qualities of its staff who work tirelessly to offer a better experience to customers.

One of the interesting results of this innovation process is the Alert!FX which sends personalized alert messages to the mobile phone of a user, ensuring that he's up-to-date with the markets even when he’s away from the computer. Charting tools and the trading screen can also be reached by the use of a mobile phone or PDA.

Account types
MG Forex offers individual, joint, partnership and corporate accounts, along with special options for money managers. The firm does not seperate standard and mini-accounts, clients can trade both fractional and standard units starting with 0.1 unit in standard accounts. The minimum deposit size is $500, with a recommended minimum of $1,000 in order to better accommodate margin requirements and spreads.

The base currencies are USD, Euro, Japanese Yen, the British Pound, Swiss Franc, Australian and Canadian Dollars. This diversity of options facilitates cheaper withdrawals, and negates costs involved in base currency conversions. Spreads are at the low side, with 3 pips for EUR/USD and 4 pips for USD/JPY.

MG Forex offers its clients a leverage of 100:1 which is standard for NFA regulated brokers.  As part of your strategy, keep in mind that increased leverage, increases risk.

Deposits and Withdrawals
MG Forex accepts deposits in all seven currencies via wire transfer, and accepts U.S. dollar deposits by check, credit card or Paypal.

Withdrawals are possible by check or wire transfer and with a $15 fee incurred for each withdrawal beyond the first one in a single month.

Trading Platform
MG Financial’s trading platform, the Deal Station FX, allows orders to be placed directly from the charts, reducing the time and complexity of the process. The platform also supports the integration of fundamental analysis into the technical aspect of trading through the use of plug-ins including an economic calendar. News flow is provided by forexnews.com, MG Financial’s associated news & analysis website, the commentators of which are regularly interviewed by the Financial Time, Bloomberg TV or the Wall Street Journal.

The Deal Station platform implements advanced features like one click trading, trailing stops and the modification of open orders in real time. In order to smoothen the learning process, every function of the platform is explained with both text and graphics in an interactive and searchable mode.

Finally, the platform is highly compatible with MacOS, Linux and the Windows operating systems.

Security and Privacy
Apart from its status as a registered and regulated brokerage firm, in 1998 MG Financial became the first foreign exchange market maker to obtain fidelity bond insurance. Issued through the subsidiary of a NYSE company, the insurance protects the assets of the firm from fraud and embezzlement by its employees.

Customer Support
With 24 hour support by phone (during market open hours) available in multiple languages, servicing clients in about 100 nations worldwide, the customer service department of MG Financial is one of the crown jewels of the firm. MG Financial’s support inculcates its own culture of respect and patience to every new entrant into its ranks, making sure that each and every client is treated with the same value that they deserve, regardless of account size or trading record.

Conclusion
MG Forex is perhaps not the best choice of a beginner. The lack of a mini-account, relatively high initial deposit requirements may complicate the beginning stages of the education of a new trader. On the other hand, the relatively low amount of maximum leverage allowed, at 100:1, will help the trader to suffer less from the problems associated with high leverage.

If you’re a relatively experienced trader who’s looking for a trustworthy, friendly, and serious broker where you can improve your skills to the next level of professionalism, MG Financial is probably the best choice for you. This firm is committed to providing the most advanced and sophisticated tools to those who require them, but that naturally makes the experience of the novice a bit more harder.

MG Financial is a large, old and reliable institution regulated by U.S. financial authorities. Its quarter century long history is a rarity among forex brokers. If you’re looking for a serious institution where you can achieve your maximum potential, MG Financial will be your choice broker.

Forex Broker: Easy Forex Review

Founded in 1999 by a group of bankers with years of experience in forex and international banking, Easy Forex Inc is a forex broker headquartered at Limassol, Cyprus with international offices in Chicago, London, Manila, Melbourne, Sydney, and Tel Aviv. As a global operation, the firm has licences in Australia (ASIC AFSL 246566), and the EU (CySec 079/07). In the US Easy Forex is registered at the CFTC, and is also a member of the National Association of Futures Dealers (NFA).

 

Unique Features of Trading with Easy Forex
As a pioneer in the retail currency trading business, Easy Forex has implemented innovative solutions to a number of issues related to online currency trading. Their trademark Inside Viewer tool lets traders examine the positioning of Easy Forex clients, in terms of the popularity of currency pairs, open deals structure, and deal direction (buy/sell). In addition the Trade Controller tool is unique to Easy Forex, and offers traders a clear picture of profit/loss scenarios through visual displays.

Easy Forex pledges to realize stop loss orders at the exact rate specified by the client. Buy and sell orders are automated, with no delay in execution. There’s also a freeze rate facility which will either accept or refuse an entry within a few seconds, in order to ensure that connection problems do not lead to faulty trade executions.

Unlike most other brokerages, Easy Forex also facilitates accounts in 12 different base currencies.

Account types
Easy Forex provides both a standard account for more experienced traders, and a mini account for beginners, apart from various other types of packages on special terms and conditions. The minimum initial deposit requirement is 200 USD and the minimum transaction size is 2,500 USD.

Easy Forex offers leverage options at 50:1 and 200:1 (except in the U.S. where the NFA has capped it at 100:1) in addition to tailor-made packages for the customer. Whatever leverage you choose, please understand that the higher the leverage, the greater the risk. The firm offers mini accounts for new traders apart from the standard one offered for those with years of experience in forex trading.

In addition to forex, Easy Forex clients can trade gold and silver, with oil also being available to non U.S. based traders.

Deposits and Withdrawals
Easy Forex is very flexible about client deposits and withdrawals. Deposits are accepted via credit card, paypal or bank transfers, and no commissions, fees or spreads apply during withdrawal to a credit card account.

Trading Platform
Easy Forex now offers a MetaTrader4 trading platform that grants the user 24/7 access. Trading is available from 06:00 Monday Sydney time until 17:00 Friday New York Time, covering the entire market action without restrictions. The multilanguage platform can be customized to operate in languages including English, German, Arabic, Greek, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, French, Polish and Hebrew. The trading software doesn’t require the download of any additional application, eliminating many security-related concerns. In addition, and in harmony with the industry-wide move toward complete automation of trade execution, Easy Forex offers its clients an online trading experience that completely eliminates the need for a dealer desk, or other intermediary.

The platform provides real time updates of the trader’s account, with slippage minimized to the maximum extent. The firm’s official policy with respect to slippage is simple and straightforward, in their words, “what you see is what you get”.

The trading software comes with the standard supporting tools including charting services, economic info and indices, and technical analysis tools, which are all implemented as part of the basic package. The economic information is supplied by the world’s most trustworthy and reputable news agency, Reuters.

To ensure 24/7, 365 days a year uninterrupted client access to the platform, Easy Forex operates server farms in both the U.S. and the U.K.

Beginner’s Education
Easy Forex offers live training by phone, guided video tours, online chat services, and a comprehensive info center to smoothen the beginner’s experience with forex trading. The support service is renowned for its professionalism and friendly attitude.

Apart from the customary demo accounts that is a standard feature of the industry nowadays, Easy Forex offers a one-on-one training scheme to accompany their demo accounts..

Security and Privacy
In order to ensure the security and privacy of client data, Easy Forex cooperates with Verisign, one of the powerhouses of the internet security and data encryption business. Credit card clearing services are provided by Barclaycard, once again one of the most reliable firms in the financial services industry.

Easy Forex is a transparent firm audited by financial authorities of the nations where it has branches. Internal auditing is performed by HLB Afxentiou & Partners, a worldwide organization that is a member firm of HLB International.

With a history reaching back 50 years, HLB ranks among the top 15 accounting and business advisory groups worldwide, with more than 1,340 partners and 10,900 staff in 450 offices.

Conclusion
We recommend Easy Forex for the user friendly nature of its trading platform, the warm attitude of its support staff, and the advantages of its account packages. Great customization opportunities, reliable servers, and trader-friendly order execution policies make Easy Forex one of the best brokerage choices for the beginning trader.

With international visibility, a sound financial structure regulated in three corners of the globe, Easy Forex is one of the more trustworthy and accountable firms in the forex industry. Established in 1999, the firm has been one of the earliest pioneers of retail currency trading, and it is also one of those that have been untainted by scandals or corruption issues. Regulated, audited and certified, Easy Forex is there to help you avoid the headaches associated with the shady undergrowths of the retail currency trading business.

Forex Broker: eToro Review

eToro is a new and innovative firm that offers its more than 50,000 clients from all parts of the world an innovative and even fun approach to trading. The American branch of the firm, eToroUSA is an online platform operated by Tradonomi LLC that was established for the purpose of introducing prospective traders to U.S. regulated brokers. Tradonomi LLC. is registered with the CFTC and is a member of NFA (ID:0382918).

Unique Features of Trading with eToro
The eToro forex trading platform is designed for traders with little or no experience in trading currencies. eToro’s website states explicitly that the company aims to specialize in the retail section of the forex market. Thus the firm offers the best tools for facilitating the new career of the beginning trader with the most accommodating and user-friendly approach. The eToro philosophy has the goal of connecting the international world of finance and currency trading with the retail trader at the most basic level.

Account Types
Since many beginning traders have little understanding of the forex market, in order to help its clients manage risks better, eToro requires a very low $50 minimum for account deposits, with leverage options beginning at at 10:1 and reaching to 400:1. Beginner's should be aware that increased leverage means increase in overall risk.

To abide by the rules set fort by the NFA, eToroUSA offers levarge at 100:1.

Deposits and withdrawals
eToro is very flexible about client deposits. MoneyGram, WesternUnion, Neteller, PayPal, WebMoney are accepted channels for account funding , along with the standard credit card deposits and wire transfers. The minimum deposit with a credit card, PayPal, Neteller, WebMoney or Moneybookers account is $50, and it is $500 with WesternUnion, MoneyGram, and wire transfers. The eToro website offers extensive help and guidance on client deposits. Withdrawal of funds is equally easy, and the filling and submittal of an online form is the only necessity.

Trading Platform
eToro’s trading platform is the most unique in the forex universe. The game like interface, currencies that run marathons, pull ropes or wrestle with each other, the cowboys and sumo wrestlers who fight as your trades move into the red or black, all bring a whole new experience of entertainment and excitement to currency trading. We all know that stress is one of the vicious enemies of a trader; eToro aims to eliminate, or at least reduce the stressful aspect of currency trading with this innovative approach to trading. In order to avoid overwhelming a beginning trader with a vast array of charts and tools for which he will have little use, eToro’s platform is kept clean and clear, with only the most important data displayed to help the trader evaluate market developments better. The most important feature of the eToro forex platform is its user-friendliness: an uncluttered screen helps the trader focus on the price action itself while using low leverage and risking little, until he is able interpret the numerous conflicting signals generated by the bulky technical packages offered by other firms. The trading platform is updated regularly, as the firm is committed to bringing the retail forex community the most satisfying experience through the most up-to-date software in the market. Finally, to ensure that the trader doesn’t suffer unexpected large losses due to neglect or anxiety, the platform will automatically enter a stop-loss order on any new trade that is ordered.

Beginner’s Education
eToro is committed to bringing the easiest and most rewarding forex trading experience to beginners. As such, it offers numerous online tutorials, trading guides, along with the usual demo account. Since eToro is also a community with an active online trading forum, with features public and private chat opportunities, along with extensive networking capabilities, the beginning trader will have more than enough choices for the tools he will use to better his skills. The support staff, forums, and numerous online guides and tutorials contribute to a quicker learning period for the beginner. Since the firm’s stated purpose is to help the beginners get used to trading with the shortest and lightest trouble, there is a wide array of tools with which the beginner can improve his trading skills.

Security and Privacy
To ensure the safety of customer funds, eToro uses industry standard Secure Socket Layering (SSL) technology for encryption of data. eToro doesn’t share crdit history, net worth, or other related income data with any other institution. Operated by leading online forex brokers, the technical staff who develop and innovate on the eToro platform is committed to bringing you the best spreads with the most precise and timely trade executions.

Conclusion
eToro is certainly one of the best offers in the market for the beginning trader. Flexible leverage options, a very low minimum deposit requirement all ensure that the inevitable failures of the beginner can be accommodated without suffering. The user-friendly, fun, and exciting presentation of the eToro trading software may reduce the stress that you’ll suffer as you get used to trading. It’s hard to laugh when your trading strategy or method is proven to be wrong, but with eToro, you’ll always be able to take it easy, just as you should. As the emotional burden of trading is reduced, the beginning trader can concentrate on honing his skills, and refining his methods: there’s no other approach out there that will contribute more to this aspect of your career. Obviously, an experienced trader will have less need of some of the most striking advantages offered by eToro. Still, even the seasoned traders should give eToro a chance to help alleviate the stress of trading: a light attitude, and good humor are always good in life, whether you’re a retail trader of forex, or a trader of the fortunes of humanity, like the US President.

Forex Broker: CMS Forex Review

Background
CMS Forex was founded in 1999 by a group of forex professionals, software engineers, and traders. The present CEO of the company Vera Hawkin, is a Russian immigrant with a Master of Engineering degree in Elecronic Engineering, and a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics. She holds some patents in multiple nuclear reactor safety system designs.

The firm is headquartered in New York, with offices in Boston, London, Tokyo, Shanghai, Bermuda and St.Petersburg. CMSFX is a fully regulated company in accordance with the rules of the CFTC, and is a member of the NFA as well as the FSA in the U.K.

We here at ForexTraders refer our visitors to the U.K. platform because CMS Forex U.K. offers; a smaller minimum deposit requirement, gold and silver, permits hedging and greater leverage but keep in mind that the greater the leverage, the greater the risk.

Advantages of CMS Forex
CMS Forex is a straightforward, strong company which focuses more on service than marketing. The most salient advantages of trading with this brokerage the ability to trade micro lots with minimal risk, hedging is allowed in the U.K. version and the relatively low initial minimum deposit requirement at $200. The great customization options available also set the company apart from much of the competition in the business.

Trading Platform
CMS Forex provides its services through its own trademark VT Trader platform. The advantages of the platform include:

One-click trading directly from the forex charts

• High customizability, including the ability to create one's own auto-trading strategies.
• Wealth of technical tools with more than one hundred indicators available for analysis
• Risk management options including the Trade Guardian system, and trailing stops.
• Automated pattern recognition which scans the chart and draws patterns for the trader's use
• Automated trading choices through the Forex Autopilot system
• News flow through the acclaimed DowJones Newswire service

In order to avoid stability and connectivity issues, CMSForex maintains a large number of redundant connections, and a highly competent technical staff to deal with any arising issues rapidly.

Apart from the VT Trader 2.0 platform, CMS Forex provides the MetaTrader 4.0 forex trading software to retail clients, and the TradePort system to institutional traders.

Market access is available between 5:15 p.m. EST Sunday, and 4 p.m. EST Friday except on U.S. holidays. Spreads are as low as 1.4 pips for the most liquid pairs.

Deposits and Withdrawals
The minimum deposit amount at CMSFX is 200 currency units for both Euro and USD deposits, and 40 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand Dollars, and the Swiss Franc. These values are independent of exchange rates. Deposits by wire transfer, PayPal, BPS, and Online Check are accepted. With online credit card deposits, funds are credited to your account immediately. Check deposits take between eight and ten days before being available for trading, while all the other options are processed in 1-5 trading days.

You can withdraw your funds via check, BPS, or wire transfers after completing an online form. The process takes between 2-3 business days and the check option is available to residents of the U.S. or Canada only.

Account Types
CMSFX is one of the more flexible brokers in the forex business, providing three types of accounts in a single package. A Universal Account opened at CMS Forex facilitates trading in standard, mini, and even micro lots from the convenience of a single, combined interface. Upon meeting some basic qualification requirements, a trader is able to enter any combination of standard $10,000, mini $10,000, or micro $1,000 lot orders in accordance with his trading strategy. U.K. regulations permit forex hedging, and allow leverage at up to 400:1, so traders with a preference for hedging or higher leverage will enjoy this additional advantage of CMS Forex U.K.

CMS Forex has a separate package for institutional clients. Highly customizable special options are available to active self-traders, professional traders, and money managers. Managed account services are offered through partnerships with third parties.

Safety and Security
CMS Forex has been active in the brokerage industry for more than ten years, and it has a good reputation among traders and dealers alike. The broker is a member of the FSA and the NFA, and is subject to the rules and oversight of the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). CMSForex is committed to holding client funds at the most reputable and safest financial institutions of the nation. Although forex clients' funds do not benefit from FDIC guarantees, careful scrutiny of partner banks ensures that clients receive the greatest protection against any unexpected developments.

Customer Support
CMSFX Fundamental analysis is provided on a regular basis through the Forex Capsule system of the broker, with each week's events condensed and made available to clients in easily accessible archives. The company provides expert commentary and a video recap service on a daily basis, in addition to frequent technical updates and webinars.

CMS Forex' technical support and dealing desk are available 24 hours a day. Customer relations are handled by an multilingual staff, with account representatives fluent in English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin and Cantonese interacting with clients in accordance with CMS Forex' strong work ethics.

Conclusion
CMS Forex is one of the hidden gems of the forex business. In spite of its somewhat low profile in the advertisement world, it has all the necessary qualifications of a potentially excellent forex broker. It is regulated, U.S. based, and has been in operation for more than ten years, all of which point to a company that has an intention to stay active and build a customer base through solid practices. Its trading platform boasts more than 100 indicators, more than even the best of some of the most popular technical software in today's forex world. Clients of the firm have access to excellent auto-trading tools, and risk management software. Since the company develops its own trading platform, problems that arise can be quickly addressed by the technical staff, without the need to resort to the help of third parties.

Excellent customer support services, backed by fundamental tools, and daily updates by market professionals make VT Trader one of the best brokers in the business today. The spread can be as low as 1,4 in the EURUSD. Coupled with the revolutionary universal account scheme, it is another reason to be enthusiastic about the broker.

In sum, VT Forex is an excellent firm with hardly any disadvantages. You may or may not choose them to be your broker, but you would definitely not regret giving them a try.

Forex Broker: Finexo Review

Finexo was established in 2003 by a number of experienced bankers, forex software developers, and hedge fund traders with the purpose of revolutionizing the forex industry with a unique and innovative approach to forex brokerage. Though a younger member of the broker community, Finexo already ranks high, with excellence in efficiency and customer satisfaction.

As of early 2010 Finexo was purchased by SafeCap Investments, an EU regulated broker with a strong financial background and coincidentally enough, also owns GFC markets. As a result of the merge, Finexo no longer accepts U.S. clients.

Account Types
Considered to be the best trading platform in the industry, Finexo has implemented the MetaTrader4 platform which is suitable to both novice and experienced traders. Although charting choices are less comprehensive than the offerings of some other firms, the one-click trading, and trailing stop capabilities, the ability to enter limit and stop orders of all kinds, and the mobile and PDA trading options easily vindicate Finexo’s claims about the power of their trading software.

The firm offers both a mini and standard account to match the capabilities of traders from different backgrounds. Similarly, leverage up to 200:1 is available for experienced traders but beware that the higher the leverage you choose, the greater the risk.

Another strength of trading with Finexo is the extensive array of additional tools that explore every aspect of forex trading through audio briefings, and daily reports. An online forex glossary, a comprehensive online forex calendar and advanced charting options are the other benefits of opening an account with the firm.

Finexo offers all the popular major pairs that offer the lowest risk, volatility, and highest profit potential for traders. Trading in EUR/USD, EUR/JPY, USD/JPY and many other is possible, and the spread of the EUR/USD pair is often as low as two pips, beating many of Finexo’s competitors.

Finally, and in line with industry standards, Finexo offers a free demo account for traders who would like to test their skills before committing real funds to their accounts.

Deposits and Withdrawals
The minimum deposit requirement at Finexo is $250 which in this industry seems to be the middle ground. The firm accepts deposits by Visa, MasterCard, Diners, Amex, in addition to PayPal, and other online financial intermediaries such as MoneyBookers. In the case of deposits through credit cards, Liberty Reserve, or MoneyBookers, the deposit process is quick and free of any charges. Wired funds incur bank fees, while PayPal deposits are liable to charges as per the terms and conditions of the company.

Withdrawals are usually completed within 48 hours, and are subject to certain fees. PayPal withdrawals are charged 3.4% and 0.5 SGD, and withdrawals to a MoneyBookers account are subject to a charge of 3% of the amount. Bank withdrawals cost a minimal $10, but the amount will depend on each bank’s policies. Finally, credit card withdrawals cost 3.5% of the amount withdrawn.

There are also some limits on the maximum amount that can be deposited in a single transaction. For credit and debit cards the limit is $5,000, while for bank transfers, e-gold, or e-bullion deposits the ceiling is at $50,000.

In general, deposits and withdrawals are facilitated with ease at Finexo. While the usual timeframe is 48 hours for withdrawals, in cases where the process is longer than usual, a time limit of 7 days is part of Finexo’s commitment to customer satisfaction.

Security
Finexo has operations in Hungary, Austria, and the Netherlands and complies with local regulations in these nations.

In addition to its compliance with regulatory rules, Finexo ensures that it is up-to-date with the latest technological developments in the internet security industry. The company is committed to customer privacy and safety.

Customer Service
As a broker catering to the individual and retail trader, Finexo is committed to ensuring that each and every trader is treated with respect and trust. The firm’s customer service is available 24 hours a day, and enlists reliable professionals in order that clients’ problems are resolved as swiftly as possible. The customer service performs its duties based on the notion that traders expect to interact with the trading software, not the customer service, and are committed to resolving emerging issues in as friendly, positive an attitude as possible.

Conclusion
For both the experienced, and beginning traders Finexo offers some capabilities that are unique in the industry. The firm’s great success in establishing itself in the course of just six years is a proof of their innovative and competitive approach to retail forex brokerage. Interesting technological innovations, such as the capability to open and close trades via mobile, the ability to enter trailing stops, and a number of other advanced features guarantee that trading with Finexo is a rewarding and profitable experience.

To avoid the headaches and troubles of choosing an unaccountable, unreliable and shady broker, we must make sure that our chosen broker is open, and friendly to its customers. Finexo is one such firm, and you will not be disappointed if you try their services.

Forex Broker: Forex.com Review

Forex.com is a branch of GAIN Capital, LLC, a firm founded in 1999 by a group of Wall Street veterans. The U.K. arm of the broker is a fully authorized and regulated broker registered with the Financial Services Authority, or the FSA. In the decade since, GAIN Capital has acquired a status as one of the most important firms in the financial services industry, catering to forex, commodities and stocks traders.

 

GAIN Capital, LLC is one of the fastest growing financial services firms in the U.S., and it has been featured many times in some of the most prestigious offline and online publications discussing emerging stars of the finance industry.

We here at ForexTraders refer our visitors to the U.K. platform because Forex .com U.K. offers; MetaTrader 4, lower spreads, oil, permits hedging and greater leverage but keep in mind that the greater the leverage, the greater the risk.

Unique Features of Forex.com
The most interesting aspect of trading with Forex.com is the availability of diverse options for trading platforms. Also, GAIN Capital, LLC is a well-established firm with a long and reliable history, and since it is the holding company behind Forex.com, the broker is one of the best choices for traders who are concerned about safety and security in the forex market. Spreads are also low, beginning from around 1 pip at the most liquid pairs when you trade using the MetaTrader 4 platform that's only available on the U.K. platform.

Trading Platform
Forex.com provides an impressive array of trading software choices to its clients, including the ever so popular MetaTrader 4 platform which brings lower spreads on many pairs, superior flexibility and richness of options to forex clients and enables the development of almost any kind of forex strategy. You'll benefit from quality trade executions, tight spreads and personalized customer service as well as all of the standard features of the MetaTrader 4 trading platform.

Some of the additional features with MT4 through Forex.com U.K. includes:

• Spreads as low as 1-2 pips on most popular traded pairs.
• Able to create expert advisors (EA's) to trade on your behalf.
• Benefit from an EA optimized environment including micro lot trading and hedging capabilities.
• Mobil access is available with much of the core functionality of the Client Terminal.
• Automate trade strategies with MQL4.
• Overlay predefined technical indicators or create your own.
• Open, monitor and update an unlimited number of charts.
• Set audible rate and indicator alerts.
• Multi-lingual support - 17 languages available.

Forex.com provides a free package for automated trade execution, backtesting and strategy development. The forex API system allows fully automated trade execution and the creation and management of strategies, live updates through a real data feed, update of stop-loss or take profit orders and much more. Qualifying clients also receive strong testing capabilities to evaluate strategies at no risk.

Account Types and Spreads
The minimum lot size of a mini account is $10,000, with a minimum deposit requirement of $250. In the case of a standard account, the minimum deposit size is $2,500 and the lot size is $100,000. As it is often the case, a free demo account is also available.

The spread is as low as 1 pip for the EURUSD or USDJPY pairs. Forty-five currency pairs are available for trading, including all the important major or minor pairs, in addition to gold, silver and oil. Hedging strategies are possible in accordance with FSA rules.

Forex.com offers leverage at up to 200:1 with a mini account. Increasing leverage also increases risk so make sure to choose your preferred leverage based on your own strategy.
 

Safety
GAIN Capital LLC has been around for more than a decade, and that is, arguably, the strongest guarantee in the fledgling forex industry of our day. The broker is fully regulated by the FSA in the U.K with registry number 190864. Beyond that, Forex.com implements all the industry standards in ensuring the safety and privacy of client information, and data transmission during transactions. In the U.S. Forex.com is in full accordance with the rules and regulations of the NFA and the CFTC.

Customer Service
Apart from a highly qualified and courteous customer service department, Forex.com offers a one-on-one training experience for clients who meet a few basic requirements. The market strategist will guide the customer by devising personalized trading strategies and helping the creation of advanced strategies.

Beginner's Support
The Forex.com website is full of highly informational and useful resources. Apart from a 7-part, online tutorial that teaches a beginner all the basics necessary to commence trading, there are regular webinars, and there is a forex trading handbook available that provides deeper insight into more advanced topics in a highly accessible simple language.

Conclusion
It is hard to find much to criticize about Forex.com. The aim of this broker is to offer a highly diversified service to clients, able to cater fully to the needs of different trader types. If you're a beginner, the wealth of information that is made available at the website, the friendly customer service, and the regular education programs of the firm will help reduce the steepness of the curve in your learning process. If you're an advanced trader looking to apply some sophisticated techniques, the MetaTrader 4 through Forex.com UK will ensure that you have lots of options to choose from due to the highly customizable capabilities.

The mini account deposit requirement is a moderate USD 250 and it is certain that you can find other companies that require a lower level of financial commitment from a beginner. But this requirement is justified to by the superior capabilities of the Forex.com.

Note:

Forex.com/UKacts as the clearing agent and counterparty to customers introduced by ForexTraders.com for an IB margined forex transactions. FOREX.com is a trading name of GAIN Capital - FOREX.com UK Limited and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. FSA No. 190864.

FOREX.com UK is not currently accepting account applications from residents of the People's Republic of China and Nigeria.

Governmental restrictions and our policies prohibit us from opening accounts from the following restricted OFAC sanctioned countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Former Liberian Regime of Charles Taylor, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Unita (Angola) and Zimbabwe, as well as other individuals specifically sanctioned.

Forex Broker: AvaFX Review

Background
Ava Capital Markets Ltd., the retail forex arm of the international investment firm Ava Group, is a forex broker headquartered in Ireland. It is regulated by the FSA and the Irish authorities in accordance with MiFiD, the EU's investment regulations under reference number C53877.

The forex trading platform and the retail currency trading branch of Ava Capital Markets Ltd. were launched in 2006 by a group of financial experts, and IT professionals under the organizational umbrella of Ava Group.

Advantages of Trading with AvaFX
There a number of great advantages that result from becoming an AvaFX client, but perhaps the most exciting of them is the powerful package of auto-trading tools that are offered as part of the standard AvaFX trading platform. There are three options: AvaAutoTrader, which AvaFX claims to be the world leader in automated trading solutions, ZuluTrader, which offers custom-made strategies for traders, as well as algorithmic trading through AvaAutoTrader, an approach often utilized by hedge funds and other large institutional players in the forex market. Finally, there is the customary API trading option where the trader devises his/her own methods.

Clearly, this is unmatched in the market in terms of both the depth and power of the automation solutions offered. Even if you are inexperienced in auto-trading, the intuitive and friendly interface of AvaFX makes this broker an excellent choice for becoming acquainted with the basics.

Trading Platform
The AvaFX trading platform is based on MetaTrader4, the popular choice of the best forex brokers in the world. The charting package includes all the standard tools that come with MetaTrader, and you also have the option of designing your own indicators when you feel confident and knowledgeable enough to do so. Dozens of currency pairs are offered, including all the major, and popular minor pairs, in addition to metals such as gold and silver.

It is possible to test the AvaFx platform with a demo account where you'll be able to trade $100,000 in virtual currency.

Deposits and Withdrawals
AvaFX offers leverage up to 400:1 with a minimum deposit requirement as low as $100. Keep in mind, the higher the leverage is that you choose, the greater risk of loss is involved.  It's possible to have your account processed immediately and commence trading following a credit card deposit. Other forms of payment include PayPal, NeTeller, WebMoney, and Moneybookers, as well as bank transfers. Instant withdrawals are also facilitated with the "Ava Debit Card" feature of the broker.

Customer Care
The core concept that inspired the foundation of AvaFX is the adoption of a user-oriented perspective, instead of the banking or business-oriented approach of most forex brokers. The firm implies a professional support staff fluent in many languages that is available on a 24-hour basis in order to help resolve any issues that may arise. The aim of the firm is building up a business around the client so that every feature of the software package is focused on improving an aspect of the tradingf experience. Towards this goal, the AvaFX platform is coupled to a highly competent and disciplined customer support team.

Security
AvaFX is a registered and regulated broker in full compliance with the regulations of the European Union. There is a wealth of information at the broker's website on such details as the large market capitalization of Ava Group, its headquarters and history. According to the disclosures of the firm, the holding company backing Ava Capital Markets Ltd. has a capitalization of about $17 billion and has a rating of A+ by the rating agency S&P.

The motto of AvaFX is Integrity, Service, and Functionality". Towards realizing this slogan, the firm implements the standard procedures of the retail forex business towards ensuring account safety and the security of clients' private data, while monitoring developments in the technological field closely in order to implement any improvements as soon as they become available.

Conclusion
AvaFX claims its strongest point to be its user-oriented perspective. The main focus of the website and the software platform are ensuring that the client feel privileged as an AvaFX partner, creating that unique edge to set the firm apart from all of its competitors. The exceptional automated trading solution of the company is certainly unique in the retail forex world as far as retail currency trading is concerned, while the flagship MetaTrader4 system is so well-established as the sign of competence that it doesn't need any further elaboration. The fact that the company is part of a larger framework under Ava Group reinforces the safety aspect as much as the regulatory oversight by the authorities. In short, AvaFX is an exceptionally well-qualified firm that has also the promising qualities of a rising star in the forex market. Giving this broker a try with a demo account, you'd lose nothing, but the potential benefits are unlimited.

Forex Broker: GFC Markets Review

History and Background
GFC Markets is a forex broker owned and operated by SafeCap Investments, an investment firm headquartered in Cyprus. SafeCap Investments was previously known as Arbat Capital Limited, but assumed its new name in 2009, upon the granting of regulatory approval to GFC Markets in 2009.

The firm is regulated by CySec in Cyprus and by the FSA in the UK.

Please note that GFC Markets does not accept U.S. clients. therefore, if you are located in the U.S. we suggest choosing another top rated broker.

Unique Features of Trading with GFC Markets
Some of the interesting, if not unique features of GFC Capital include regulation by multiple institutions, the "welcome bonuses" that reward customers for high trading volume, a low initial deposit requirement of $50, and three separate trading packages tailored to client's lifestyle and expectations. GFC Markets does not stand out in any one respect, but leaves the impression of an overall solid firm with no obvious weaknesses.

Account Types
The minimum initial deposit requirement at GFC Markets is $50 for the mini account, while maximum leverage is fixed at 200:1 (keep in mind that increasing the leverage as part of your strategy also increases risk). There are three types of accounts available to forex clients based on funding:

As mentioned, the mini account requires a minimum deposit of $50 dollars, however, traders who deposit at least $100 can receive a $50 bonus. Owners of a mini account can receive mobile alerts for a fee. GFC Markets provides a welcome bonus of up to $250 (depending on the initial deposit amount) to holders of this type of account which can be withdrawn when the trade volume in the client's account reaches a predetermined value.

Accounts funded with $2,500 are subject to the terms of a standard account. Standard clients receive up to a $2,000 welcome bonus from GFC Markets and also receive the News to Mobile trade alerts feature for free.

Finally, traders who fund their accounts with a sum in excess of $20,000 receive VIP status at GFC Markets. Apart from a higher welcome bonus which is determined by negotiation between the trader and the firm, GFC Markets provides free FX Signals to VIP clients via SMS.

Another interesting feature is that trading by phone calls through the dealing desk or online interaction with the system through no dealing-desk (NDD) trading are both possible at GFC Markets

Trading Software
The trading platform of GFC Markets comes in three different formats. Although each platform offers the same technical analytical capabilities for the most part, their accessibility and security features vary widely.

The GFC Trader is the equivalent of a standard trading software for home use. The software comes equipped with highest functionality, and features some of the most advanced safety technologies for online trading, but is also based on an assumption that it will be used at home by the trader. This platform is Windows-based, downloadable and easy to install and operate. A drag-and-drop interface enables one click orders for traders who are active and require fast reaction times from the software.

The GFC Java Trader is a groundbreaking option, especially for those who are on the move. As a Java-based platform it offers the highest degree of safety to a trader who must resort to public computers at times, while sacrificing nothing from functionality. The GFC Java Trader does not require installation. The broker's demo platform is also based on the Java Trader software which adds to the value of their demo account.

The GFC Mobile is mostly used by those in a hurry, on occasions when a trader desires instant access to the markets in order to exploit an emerging opportunity, or to liquidate a losing position. It is not as functional as the other two platforms, but it serves its purpose well.

Deposits and Withdrawals
GFC Markets accepts deposits via Visa, MasterCard and Diner's Club credit cards. It is also possible to transfer funds by wire or WebMoney, in addition to negotiable options for local transfer channels.

There are no fees involved in the deposit and withdrawal process and credit card deposits or withdrawals are instantly credited. The firm reports that there may be some delays during wire transfers arising out of routine problems in the interbank market, however this pertains to most brokers. For any deposit exceeding $2,500, GFC Markets is committed to reimbursing the client for any transaction fees charged by banks or similar intermediaries.

Withdrawals are expected to take place within three days at most with wire transfers, although the aforementioned delays in the banking system can cause this period to be lengthened in some unusual cases. In order to initiate a withdrawal, the client must submit the relevant form which can easily be downloaded from the website of the broker.

Customer Support
GFC Markets provides excellent customer and beginner support with a staff that is available 24 hours a day during the working week.  They offer over 25 local phone numbers from various countries, several email addresses to different departments and a live chat that makes getting in touch with a representative relatively simple in comparison to other brokers. Client concerns are addressed in the caller's native language and although the employees of the firm are not authorized to give investment advice, they do provide guidance, information and support depending on the trader's knowledge level.

Conclusion
GFC Markets stands out from other brokers in the industry being that they are regulated by two credible EU authorities; the FSA and the CySec. The firm has been active for the past three years, which is about average for a new firm in the forex brokerage business. The $50 initial deposit requirement is considered relatively low. Superior customer service, educational resources and leverage as high as 200:1 (increasing leverage, increases risk) tailors to both professional, as well as beginner traders.

The Java-based platform and mobile trading options are interesting features, and the basic software package, the GFC Trader platform is overall a competent system for a typical trader's needs. For traders looking to open an account with larger sums of money, you are rewarded with access to more features such as free signals etc.

The website of the broker provides more than sufficient information about just about any question that you may have about the firm's business, and you're invited to take a look yourself if you are interested in learning more about GFC Markets and opening an account.

Forex Broker: FXCM Review

History and Background
FXCM was incorporated in 1999 in New York and is one of the older forex brokers in the U.S. The broker opened its U.K. branch, which is the focus of our review in 2003 and became registered with the FSA (Financial Services Authority), the U.K. Regulator in the same year. Growing rapidly, FXCM crossed the 100,000 client threshold in 2007, becoming recognized in the same timeframe as one of the most innovative and promising actors in the forex business.

The broker has received numerous awards over the years, in tribute to its commitment to client satisfaction and contributions to the improvement of the retail forex concept. The "Best Forex Platform" at e-FX Awards 2009, the "Top U.S. Forex Brokerage" from the Stocks and Commodities Magazine in 2008, are two of the recent awards won by the company during its relatively long lifespan.

Advantages of Trading with FXCM U.K.
FXCM is a broker with a strong financial basis and a good reputation in the trader community. The broker's history stretches back into the 20th century and during that period the firm took part in many of the innovations and advances that have made the forex world more amenable to the retail client's expectations. FXCM's strong relationship with many of the world's premier banking institutions allow it to provide some of the most competitive quotes in the market to clients and its competent technical team makes a stable, safe trading experience possible. Being subject to U.K. regulations grants clients of FXCM the right to make their own choices with respect to hedging or FIFO rules, which is not permitted in the U.S. The industry popular MetaTrader4 platform is also available with FXCM U.K.

With this great background, FXCM welcomes swing traders, trend followers, automated systems users and scalpers with an equally positive attitude.

Trading Software
FXCM U.K. provides three basic choices as trading software each of which is as strong as the main platform, adding great diversity to the choices available to the firm's clients.

• FXCM Trade Station: Constantly improved and renovated, the Trade Station is FXCM's main platform, featuring one-click trading, hedging, streaming quotes at no slippage and an array of ten order types to allow maximum flexibility in client actions.
• MetaTrader4: The familiar MT4 system is the choice of brokers and traders alike. It is available to traders who would rather keep their established trading habits even as they move to FXCM due to its advantages in other aspects.
• Active Trader Platform: The Active Trader platform requires a monthly trade volume of $10 million, or a minimum initial deposit of $25,000 before traders can make use of it, but its advanced features readily justify the high price tag. Much lower spreads and the ability to view up to ten levels of market depth enable a whole new set of strategies for qualifying accounts based on the exploitation of support/resistance levels.
• FXCM Mobile: The mobile platform is for traders who are on the move. It is available to standard and micro accounts, and features live streaming rates depicted on powerful charts, detailed statistics on account balance, margin and equity levels, as well as the power to open or close market and entry orders with just a few clicks.

Account Types and Spreads
The standard FXCM Trade Station platform has spreads fixed at two pips for the EURUSD pair, and at three for GBPUSD. Users of the Active Trader Platform have even better rates, with the EURUSD pair changing hands at as low as 0.7 pips and the GBPUSD trading at 1.8 pips. FXCM works with many global banks to bring its clients the best possible rates in the market, and while during ordinary trading days spreads remain fixed, periods of exceptional volatility may widen them due to liquidity shortages at quoting banks.

A regular user trading through the FXCM Trade Station does not pay commissions, while Active Traders pay them on the basis of activity and trade volume. A trader with over 100 standard lots of trade volume per month will pay $5 per lot, while those enjoying trade volumes in excess of 1000 standard lots per month pay only $3.5 per transaction. These values can be negotiated further.

Leverage up to 200:1 is possible. Nonetheless, if you are new to forex trading, we invite you to recall that leverage is as much of a peril as it is a boon to trading, and that, in the case of a beginner at least, it may be a distraction in the best case scenario. Keep leverage as low as possible as you perfect your understanding of forex trading in order to let your account survive the process.

Safety
The greatest insurance that an FXCM trader has against fraud and unethical practices is the strong reputation of the company and its status as a market leader with a need to protect an already sizable client base. Regulatory oversight can catch hints of irregularities, but it by no means eliminates the capability to commit crimes or engage in unethical practices, so the best that you can do is to trade with a firm that you deem to be reliable, instead of relying on regulators to protect you from misfortunes and your own neglect.

FXCM U.K. is regulated by the Financial Services Authority of the U.K. (FSA) which demands that client funds be completely separated from the broker's capital and remain immune to claims of creditors in case of default. In addition, a large amount of data regarding FXCM's financial status is available at its website, while details about its standing with the regulator can be obtained at the FSA website.

Customer Service
FXCM's customer care department is the pride of the firm. Since FXCM U.K. is one of a smaller group of brokers with their own trading platforms and developments teams, it is able to respond to any arising issues with greater speed and effectiveness than is typically experienced with the standard forex broker. The multilingual staff is instructed to hold the client in high respect at all times and testimony of past and present trader's shows that the team adheres to these instructions diligently.

Beginner Support
Daily market commentary, free webinars, detailed Q&As responding to the common questions of newcomers to forex, powerful visual and audio tutorials summarize the many features of FXCM directed towards simplifying and hastening the novice trader's early experience with trading. As a broker with a history of commitment to client satisfaction, FXCM seeks to build long term relationships with traders, which is reflected in the treatment that new customers receive.

Conclusion
In terms of financial strength, sophistication and number of clients, effectiveness of customer support and beginner-friendliness, FXCM is certainly one of the top five brokers of the world. The need to satisfy the huge client base of the firm, their varying needs and expectations, necessitates that FXCM be one of the most advanced and technologically up-to-date brokers in the world, and they do not fail in these respects. The firm is a partner to world giants like Deutsche Bank and remains one of the most recognized names in the forex brokerage universe.

The tried and tested FXCM Trade Station Platform and the supporting MT4 software, the extraordinarily powerful Active Trader package for clients with more knowledge and experience of forex trading, and an elite maintenance staff that keeps the system rolling, are the strong points of the broker. More than 150,000 traders have voted with their accounts, trading hundreds of millions each month through the broker's reliable system. If the safety and mental ease of trading with a well-established firm are enough to fulfill your expectations from your broker, FXCM is easily the best choice for you.